Pakistan Literacy Project
Book Production and Publishing (BPP)
Brief Overview
For years, young readers in Pakistan had limited access to children’s books that are not only high-quality and educational but also genuinely reflect their own lives, cultures, and languages. To bridge this gap, ITA launched a multi-year capacity-building initiative.
ITA brought together the nation’s most talented writers, illustrators, and publishers in a series of pioneering workshops. Our mission was clear: to cultivate a new generation of local creators and produce a rich collection of original, culturally relevant storybooks. By empowering these professionals with advanced skills in storytelling and visual art, we are building a sustainable ecosystem for children’s literature, ensuring every child can see themselves in the stories they read and develop a lifelong love for learning.
PHASE 2.0
In Phase 2.0, ITA launched its groundbreaking book development program with a series of first-of-their-kind workshops. ITA united writers, illustrators, and publishers to build foundational skills, fostering a new collaborative model to create high-quality, original children’s books for Pakistan. A detailed overview of the workshops is provided below.
Book Development Workshop
ITA in collaboration with Room to Read conducted a four-day Book Development Workshop, bringing together writers, illustrators, editors, and art directors from across Pakistan. In collaboration with the PCTB, National Curriculum Council, and Sindh Textbook Board, the workshop was dedicated to producing high-quality, culturally relevant children’s books. This pioneering initiative established a new benchmark for professional collaboration within Pakistan’s Publishing Industry.
Writers' Workshop
In collaboration with Room to Read, ITA organized a three-day Writers’ Workshop to equip young writers with specialized skills needed to create age-appropriate captivating picture books for children. The workshop focused on:
- Mastering the art of crafting engaging narratives for young minds.
- Understanding the complete picture book writing process.
- Developing compelling stories from concept to final draft.
Reviewers’ Workshop
Following the workshop, a Reviewers Meeting was held with experts from the PCTB, NCC, STBB, and DCAR. These key stakeholders provided valuable feedback on the writers’ drafted stories, ensuring the new books meet high standards of quality and relevance.
Illustrators' Workshop
ITA in collaboration with Room to Read organized a four-day professional development workshop that equipped illustrators with comprehensive skills for the children’s literature market. The curriculum covered the full illustration pipeline, including character studies, detailed storyboarding, and final cover sketch development. A significant focus was placed on cultivating a collaborative professional environment, training participants to effectively use peer feedback as a tool for collective growth and artistic refinement.
Development of 15 new books by ITA
The writers’ and illustrators’ workshops organized by ITA achieved a significant milestone: the creation of 15 brand-new, beautifully illustrated children’s books by three selected publishers: Alif Laila Book Bus Society (ALBBS), Maqbool Academy (MA), and National Book Foundation (NBF).
PHASE 2.4 (Fourth Amendment)
Building on our foundation, Phase 2.4 focused on honing specialized skills in writing and illustration. This dedicated effort culminated in a significant achievement: the successful creation and publication of our first nine original storybooks, a testament to the growing talent of local creators. A detailed overview of the workshops is provided below.
Writers' Workshop
ITA in facilitation with Room to Read hosted an empowering workshop for writers, focusing exclusively on mastering the art of children’s literature for ages 4-8. Participants delved into the key pillars of storytelling namely structure, character, and plot. Every writer transformed their ideas into developed story drafts, leaving with a creative and perfectly tailored blueprint for their young audience.
Illustrators' Workshop
ITA organized illustrators’ workshop with one core goal to equip illustrators with the skills to create illustrations that deepen a child’s connection to a story. Room to Read facilitated ITA in conducting the sessions and helped the writers explore the entire creative journey from character sketches to final color palettes, providing the writers with a complete toolkit. The result was a stunning collection of artistic drafts, each a masterful and narrative-driven complement to the writers’ tales.
Development of 9 New Books By ITA
The writers’ and illustrators’ workshops organized by ITA achieved a significant milestone: the creation of nine brand-new, beautifully illustrated children’s books. As the result, 9 new illustrated storybooks were published with 5 titles co-published by Room to Read and ITA and 4 titles procured for non-commercial distribution, dedicated to advancing our literacy mission across Pakistan.
PHASE 2.5 (Fifth Amendment)
In Phase 2.5, we expanded our mission through a strategic partnership with the National Book Foundation (NBF) and the Ministry of Federal Education. This collaboration enabled us to engage an even broader network of writers and illustrators, focusing squarely on developing stories that authentically mirror the rich tapestry of Pakistani culture and values for young readers. A detailed overview of the workshops is provided below.
Writers' Workshop
ITA organized a dedicated Writers’ Workshop in NBF in Islamabad in collaboration with the Ministry of Federal Education and Professional Training (MoFEPT) and Room to Read. ITA’s central goal was to guide writers in creating stories that are deeply relatable to young readers from diverse backgrounds all over Pakistan. Participants were encouraged to weave in local traditions, languages, and characters, ensuring children see their own lives and cultures reflected in the stories.
Illustrators' Workshop
ITA collaborated with Room to Read and conducted illustrators’ workshop to enhance the skills of artists in creating visually captivating and culturally relevant illustrations for children’s books. The workshop provided a comprehensive exploration of the illustrator’s craft, with a core focus on:
- Character Design & World-Building: Creating memorable characters and immersive environments.
- Cultural Representation: Ensuring visuals authentically reflect the diverse backgrounds of Pakistani children.
- Narrative Enhancement: Using illustrations to build suspense, convey emotion, and expand upon the written story.
Development of 11 new Books by ITA
Following the writers’ and illustrators’ workshop, 11 new titles have gone through rigorous process of book development. Currently, the 11 titles have been finalized and are ready for publication and then distribution across Pakistan as part of a comprehensive literary outreach initiative.
Newly launched Books
Publishers
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Establishment of Libraries
PLP has established child-friendly Library rooms in 24 primary schools (12 in Bahawalpur and 12 in Lahore) and the establishment of classroom library corners in 10 more schools (05 in Bahawalpur and 05 in Lahore).
Our Team
- MEET OUR TEAM
- How We Do It?
- Governance
About Program
- Room to Read
- Library setup in two districts
- Adaptation
- Library Management Training
OUR RESULTS
- Beautiful Libraries
- Quality Children's Books
- Inclusive Approach
- Teacher Training
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Stories
- Project expected Impacts
- Awareness Indicators